The Team

Andrea Macken, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Founder/President/Executive Director

Andrea Macken founded Comprehensive Autism Center, Inc. (CAC) in 2007 with a dedication, passion and belief that children with autism can reach their fullest potential if treated early and comprehensively. She is at the forefront in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is known for providing high quality, effective programs for children diagnosed with autism as well as support and resources for their families. To further develop and deliver these programs, Andrea hires professional consultants and behavioral skills trainers who share her commitment and desire to help better the lives of children diagnosed with autism.

Prior to founding CAC, Andrea served as a senior clinical staff member at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) from 1994 to 2006. During her tenure, she traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally (Australia, England and United Arab Emirates) where she designed and implemented ABA programs for clients and provided ABA trainings for other professionals. She also opened and managed several satellite offices throughout the United States.

Andrea earned her Masters of Arts Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from Pepperdine University and she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She strongly believes in giving back to the community and does so through CAC�s financial or volunteer contributions to the following nonprofit organizations: Re Spectrum Community (www.respectrum.org), Our Nicholas Foundation (www.ournicholasfoundation.com), New Vision Autism Center of Temecula (www.newvisionautismcenter.com), Children’s Bureau of Southern California (www.all4kids.org), Compadres Bank (www.compadresbank.com), Oak Grove Center for Education, Treatment and The Arts (www.oakgrovecenter.org) and Rotary Club of Murrieta (www.clubrunner.ca/murrieta), and Autism Speaks-National Alliance for Autism Research (www.autismspeaks.org).

Susan Jordan, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Director of Training and Development

Susie Jordan is responsible for providing extensive training for new employees and developing monthly workshops for staff to keep them current on ABA research and treatment. She conducts functional and language assessments as well as designs intervention plans and individualized programs for each student. She also does community outreach where she trains parents on tips for working with autistic children, signs to watch for and more. Susie’s main interests in working with children include verbal behavior, play and socialization.

Prior to joining Comprehensive Autism Center, Inc. in 2008, Susie spent more than 11 years at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders where she served as a senior clinical staff member under the leadership of Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh, a recognized world leader in treating children diagnosed with autism and other pervasive development disorders. Susie’s passion for treating children diagnosed with autism brought her to Belgium, Canada, United Arab Emirates and across the United States in order to support families in search of in-home ABA programs. Susie earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology from George Mason University and her Masters of Art Degree in Counseling Psychology from National University.  Susie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Libby Allman, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Consultant

At CAC, Libby is responsible for designing, developing, writing and implementing ABA programs for children diagnosed with autism. She began her career in the research field and later moved to the clinical realm of autism. She worked at the Center for Autism, Research, Evaluation and Service as a supervisor for ABA programs offered in the home and school environments. She also conducted advanced ABA training for all tutors. Libby earned both her Bachelor and Masters degrees in psychology from the University of California, San Diego and she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Libby also volunteers her time in Mexico to work with orphan and migrant children and participates in providing sports skills to children with autism through Re Spectrum Community. She is also currently a Board Member of Re Spectrum Community.

 
Maria Budash, B.A., B.C.a.B.A.

Consultant

At CAC, Maria is responsible for designing, developing, writing and implementing ABA programs for children diagnosed with autism. She began her career in the field of autism at TERI (Training, Education, and Research Institute) Inc. where she worked as an instructor at TERI’s Learning Academy, which serves children with autism who have severe problem behaviors that prohibit them from attending other schools. Maria taught these students vocational, academic and daily living skills in both school and community settings and implemented intensive behavior intervention plans. She has also worked at TERI’s out of home Saturday respite program where she led a pre-teen group that included weekly community based outings as an in-home respite care provider. She currently works for the YMCA providing respite services to military families. Her passion and care for the military families is close to home as her husband currently serves in the United States Marine Corps. Maria earned her B.S. in Human Ecology at The Ohio State University majoring in Early Childhood Development and Education, and is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.

 
Jenessa Taengkaew

Consultant

At CAC, Jenessa is responsible for creating, developing, writing and implementing ABA programs for children diagnosed with autism. She began her career in 2004 at a mental health agency in Hawaii providing behavioral support to children in both home and school settings. It was there, she fell in love with helping provide children the necessary tools to reach their greatest potential. Jenessa has also worked with Riverside County Office of Education as a Senior Behavior Support Assistant teaching children social, vocational, and daily living skills and providing behavioral support to both teachers and family members. Jenessa earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Brigham Young University, Hawaii and her Masters of Arts Degree in Human Behavior from National University. She has taken all classes needed to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from University of Massachusetts Lowell and is currently preparing to sit for the exam.

Naomi Alexander

Military Family Consultant

At CAC, Naomi is a specialty consultant who specializes in the lifestyle of military families with special needs. Her formal education is a B.S. in Psychology and Master level coursework in Human Behavior. She comes to CAC as a military spouse of 22 years. Prior to joining CAC, she worked with military families while employed for the Navy Marine Corp. Relief Society for 10 years as a Certified Society Caseworker (CSC) as well as a Certified Level III Caseworker (CW). She also brings extensive knowledge of the special education system with her current co-chair position of three years on the Murrieta Unified School Districts (SEPAC) Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. her 9 year old son Nolan, received early developmental intervention services (EDIS) while overseas at age 2 for a profound phonological/language disorder and has been enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)for the past 7 years. Naomi is currently an active participant in EFMP program events on numerous military installations and routinely works with EFMP & ECHO case managers. Naomi is CAC’s point of contact for all military families and is in charge of consulting with our military families in the start-up process for ABA services and provides medical, educational, and community support network referrals.